Wolf: Latest efforts failed to stop surge

Gov. warns health care system could be overwhelmed, more mitigation measures may come

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday painted the most bleak picture yet of the still-unchecked resurgence of the coronavirus, saying the state’s latest mitigation measures don’t seem to be working and new ones may come soon.

At a news conference with Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, Wolf was not specific about what those measures might be.

The governor said sweeping new guidance and orders issued Nov. 23 — affecting hospitals, schools, public gatherings, municipal governments, and bars and restaurants — failed to stop the virus’ latest surge.

“Overthe course of the past two weeks, unfortunately, Pennsylvania’s situation has become even more dire,” Wolf said Monday. “If we don’t slow the spread of this dangerous virus now, if we don’t do this, the reality is that COVID19 will overwhelm our hospitals, will overwhelm our health care systems.”

That possibility, he and Levine said, was dangerous for anyone seeking hospital care and not just those with COVID-19.

On potential new measures, Wolf said ,“We will be making that decision in the next few days.”

Hecalled the red-yellow-green system of virus restrictions used earlier in the year a “blunt instrument” and said it was not appropriate now, when much more is known about COVID-19 and a

vaccine may soon be available.

Levine acknowledged data showed no hospitals were currently overwhelmed, but she and Wolf said they were crowded and strained.

‘Just keeps coming’

To illustrate the threat, nurse Maureen Casey of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center was asked to speak at the news conference.

“Like waves on a shore, it just keeps coming,” Casey said of the surge of COVID-19 patients.

She said nurses are crying at home because of the desperation and exhaustion they feel after hospital shifts. She said staff in hospitals feel like “we are quickly becoming overrun” and flu-season hasn’t really started yet.

State data showed there were more than 5,400 people hospitalized early Monday afternoon — the largest number of the pandemic — with 1,115 patients in intensive care and 614 on ventilators.

There were 242 hospitalized in Lehigh County, with 58 in intensive care and 34 on ventilators. Northampton County had 43 hospitalized, 10 in intensive care and four on ventilators.

Hospitals have been directed by the state to collaborate with regions on sharing resources. Levine said that is happening, but the concern is “they could be overwhelmed anyway.”

In general, Levine said, C OVID19 spread in the state had become so severe that “really, it is everywhere.”

Anytime a person is outside their home, Levine said, there was a potential to contract COVID19 but it is lessened by proper precautions like social distancing and mask-wearing.

More than 12,000 additional cases were reported Saturday, and Levine said it was impossible to do case investigations and contact tracing for such a large number.

Restaurants have become a focal point for restrictions in many states, including Pennsylvania, and man yhave closed their doors for good because of lost business.

Wolf said he would have preferred that restaurants received a larger share of federal emergency money that wasmade available to Pennsylvania this year.

But Wolf said he was looking to find other ways to support restaurants.

Flu activity low

A rare glimmer of good news in the Monday news conference came from Health Department Deputy Secretary Ray Barishansky, who said flu season was underway but activity so far was low.

As of Nov. 28, Barishansky said, 480 cases of flu were confirmed, with one death of a person in the 50-64age group. There have been 12 flu-associated hospitalizations thus far.

Barishansky urged people to get flu shots, and Levine said it was fortunate flu season has not yet become severe.

“When someone is hospitalized for influenza, for the flu, they need muchofthe same resources that are needed to treat patients with COVID-19,” Levine said. “They are both very contagious respiratory viruses.”

Virus statistics

The state reported 6,330 more cases of the coronavirus Monday and also said 8,630 more were logged on Sunday, bringing the total to 426,444. The seven-day moving-average of newly reported cases was 9,283 on Monday, up 38% from 6,723 a week ago.

The newly reported cases for Monday included 255 in Lehigh County and 228 in Northampton County.

There were 42 more deaths reported Monday and 69 reported for Sunday to bring the total for the pandemic to 11,373. On each of the two days, one more death was reported in Lehigh County and one more in Northampton County.

Wolf noted at the news conference that the positive-test rate statewide reached 14.4% in the latest week, up from 11.7% the previous week.

In nine counties, the rate surpassed 20%, Levine said.

Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com.